AGRICULTURE

Unexpected bidder makes buyout offer for U.S. Sugar

A surprise new bidder for U.S. Sugar could complicate the state's plans to buy farms for Everglades restoration.

ENERGY

Some wind, solar energy viable in Florida

A new report highlighted the potential of some types of wind and solar-powered energy sources in the state of Florida but also dismissed the viability of others.

Report: Some solar, wind powers viable sources of energy

The first draft of a report commissioned by state regulators says one kind of solar power and off-shore wind have great potential as sources of renewable energy in Florida, but land-based wind and another kind of solar have almost no future in the state.

FPL Energy hopes to expand wind farm

(AP) -- FPL Energy is looking to expand a wind farm north of Helix, Ore., and increase its energy-generating capacity by 100 megawatts.

U.S. Sugar sees the future in plant waste: ethanol

From sugar on the table to fuel in cars -- U.S. Sugar eyes stalks and leaves as an alternative energy source.

UTILITIES

Expect FPL savings, then a jolt

FPL customers will save $1.57 a month starting in January but are likely to get a rate hike in 2010 that would bring a typical homeowner's cost to $115 to $118 a month.

U.S. Sugar sees the future in plant waste: ethanol

From sugar on the table to fuel in cars -- U.S. Sugar eyes stalks and leaves as an alternative energy source.

Bacardi settles pollution case with EPA

Bacardi reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to settle charges regarding water pollution at its Puerto Rico operations.

UTILITIES

FPL seeks higher charges

FPL will ask state regulators for a 7 percent increase in electric bills starting in January -- even though fuel prices are falling.

Tri-Rail to begin running on bio-diesel

Tri-Rail will start operating on a much more environmentally friendly blend of bio-diesel, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced Wednesday.

The debate over nuclear energy

The big debate: Can nuclear help stop global warming? How much will new nuclear units cost, and how does that compare to solar and wind? Estimates for nuclear energy have been soaring in the past year, and some environmentalists claim no estimate is accurate because the cost of the nuclear waste is unknown.

Tons of nuclear waste piling up at power plants

The Yucca Mountain Dilemma The unrelenting nuclear headache in the United States is how to dispose of radioactive waste. For 25 years, the federal government has considered putting it at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. That has led to bitter opposition from environmentalists, those close to the proposed dump and even some nuclear experts.

How taxpayers help power companies

Trivia question: Among the $30 billion taxpayers spent in the past five years backing various methods of producing electricity, the biggest winner was:

Gov. Crist's energy and climate 'action team' offers tips

Gov. Charlie Crist's energy and climate change ''action team'' has recommended 50 ways to help the state not only meet but exceed his greenhouse-gas reduction goals.

Payless ShoeSource to go `green'

Payless ShoeSource is going green as it plans to sell a line of ecologically friendly shoes and handbags at low prices. The new brand, which has yet to be named, will be made from materials with less effect on the environment, like organic cotton and linen, hemp and recycled rubber outsoles, the company said.

UTILITIES

FPL Group lauded for lowering greenhouse emissions

FPL Group was honored by the government for its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The company has major wind and solar operations outside Florida.

Solar energy gets huge earmark in bailout bill

Congress' financial bailout included an increase and extension on tax credits for solar energy users, still mostly an option for the rich.

GLOBAL WARMING

Latins get aid in global war on emissions

Latin America is receiving international aid to fight global warming, although there are problems with corruption, financing and stability.

FPL reactor proposal advances

New nuclear reactors may still be a decade away, but FPL customers could start paying for them next year.